HORRABRIDGE schoolgirl Helena Woodbridge-Harris is celebrating hockey success after being selected to play for the UK Lions U13 girls’ team.
Helena has played hockey at Plymouth Marjon since she was five and enjoyed early success in the game with Horrabridge Primary School.
As well as playing for her club, she has been selected to play for Devon for two years running and this year was chosen to represent the West of England Panthers team at a recent national tournament in Manchester.
Helena said: ‘It was a really honour to be chosen to play for my region but I was even more proud when they asked me to be the captain as well.
‘I am really proud to have achieved what I have so far and look forward to flying the flag for Devon at the Olympics one day,’ she said.
Helena, who attends Devonport High School for Girls in Plymouth, found the tournament to be a great experience but was disappointed the team finished fourth, despite only losing one match.
Helena hopes to play for the GB squad in the future and has already met one of her idols from the team, Giselle Ansley. Giselle was kind enough to send Helena a personal good luck video before the Manchester tourn-ament.
Following the tournament, 24 girls from the 144 that attended from around the UK, were then selected to play for the UK U13s Lions squad. This team will have matches in Belfast, Glasgow and Sardinia over the next six months.
‘It is really exciting to be part of the squad,’ said Helena, ’and I am now looking to find sponsorship to help cover what is going to be a very expensive year.’
Helena’s mum, Vicks, added: ‘Not only do we have to finance the kit, travel and accommodation for the Lions squad but as Helena has also been chosen to train and play for the Junior Regional Performance Centre; we will have to find money to help cover kit and training costs for that too.’
Helena’s parents are exploring ways to get sponsorship and would love to hear from anyone who may be able to help, no matter how small. They can be contacted by email [email protected].